Several years ago an elderly aunt gave me a journal from 1895 written by a 16 year old great uncle. (He was actually 16 years, 3 months and 3 days on January 1st and the weather for the day was bleak and cold.) I opened the journal with great excitement, thinking I would learn in depth about this person I had only seen in photographs. What I found was that he paid a great deal of attention to the weather and listed the outlook for each day. He was dutiful in his entries and rarely missed a day. He worked hard and for very little pay. He walked miles to spend time with a girl he was “fond of” and he studied hard at school.
Journaling 101. I was 16 when a new English teacher arrived for one semester with her assignment to write in a journal each day of class. I am forever grateful for this introduction and I often encourage clients to journal. It is one way to assist them in awareness. Some enjoy the writing, while others balk. Most find it beneficial. If you are dutiful, (like my uncle) after a while, patterns may emerge in one’s thinking or feelings or interactions with others. Some clients like to journal when under stress, others begin early in the morning as it helps them to center themselves for the day ahead, while others journal at night as a form of quiet reflection about the day.
The New Year is a great time to try something new or rekindle an old habit. If you’ve never written in a journal, I suggest finding one that you like. It need not be expensive. $1.00 can buy a composition book. If you are worried about security, try downloading an app for a diary that you can lock on your phone. Once you’ve found the journal, begin writing. Feelings are a great place to begin, but if you are totally at a loss for words, you can always begin with the weather.
Marlayne Whitlock, M.A.
mwhitlock@ GROWcounseling.com
